Wiring substrate and method for manufacturing wiring subtrate

ABSTRACT

A wiring substrate includes a core substrate. The core substrate includes a first surface, a second surface, and an opening extending through the core substrate between the first and second surfaces. A first conductive film is formed on the first surface and covers the opening. A second conductive film is formed on the second surface. The second conductive film covers the opening. An electronic component is arranged in the opening and connected to the first conductive film. An insulator fills the opening. A first wiring portion includes alternately stacked insulative layers and wiring layers and covers the first surface of the core substrate and the first conductive film. A second wiring portion includes alternately stacked insulative layers and wiring layers, and covers the second surface of the core substrate and the second conductive film.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-100926, filed on Apr. 26, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a wiring substrate and a method for manufacturing a wiring substrate.

BACKGROUND

Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-258541 describes a wiring substrate including an electronic component such as a semiconductor chip. The wiring substrate includes a planar core and build-up layers formed on upper and lower surfaces of the core. A through hole extends through the core. An electronic component is arranged in the through hole. The through hole is filled with an insulator such as a resin. A via formed in each build-up layer electrically connects the electronic component to a wire in the build-up layer.

When manufacturing the wiring substrate, heat is applied to the core, the insulator filled in the through hole of the core, and the electronic component arranged in the through hole of the core. However, each of these members has a different coefficient of thermal expansion. This may deform the build-up layers. Such deformation of the build-up layers may lead to defects such as cracking or defoliation of the build-up layers or wire breakage.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention is a wiring substrate provided with a core substrate including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an opening extending through the core substrate between the first surface and the second surface. A first conductive film is formed on the first surface. The first conductive film covers the opening. A second conductive film is formed on the second surface. The second conductive film covers the opening. An electronic component is arranged in the opening. The electronic component is connected to the first conductive film. An insulator fills the opening. A first wiring portion includes alternately stacked insulative layers and wiring layers. The first wiring portion covers the first surface of the core substrate and the first conductive film. A second wiring portion includes alternately stacked insulative layers and wiring layers. The second wiring portion covers the second surface of the core substrate and the second conductive film.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. In the drawings, like numerals are used for like elements throughout.

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wiring-substrate.

FIGS. 1B to 1D are plan views each illustrating a portion of the wiring substrate illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A to 2E, 3A to 3E, and 4A to 4D are schematic cross-sectional views of a method for manufacturing the wiring substrate of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further wiring substrate.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another wiring substrate.

FIGS. 7A to 7E, 8A to 8E, and 9A to 9D are schematic cross-sectional views of a method for manufacturing the wire substrate of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are plan views each illustrating a portion of a further wiring substrate.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are plain views each illustrating a portion of another wiring substrate,

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the cross-sectional structure of each member, insulative layers are illustrated without hatching lines in the cross-sectional views.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a semiconductor chip 10 is arranged on a first surface (upper surface as viewed in FIG. 1A) of a wiring substrate 20. The wiring substrate 20 is mounted on a substrate such as a motherboard (not illustrated). Further, the wiring substrate 20 may be used for the mounting of a chip such as a CPU. In such a case, the wiring substrate 20 is provided as a semiconductor package.

The wiring substrate 20 includes a core portion 21, a wiring portion 22 formed on an upper side of the core portion 21, and a wiring portion 23 formed on a lower side of the core portion 21.

The core portion 21 includes a core substrate 31, which has a first surface 31SA (upper surface as viewed in FIG. 1A) and a second surface 31SB (lower surface as viewed in FIG. 1A) opposite to the first surface 31SA. The core substrate 31 is a glass epoxy substrate formed by curing thermosetting insulative resin impregnated in, for example, a glass cloth (glass woven fabric) serving as a reinforcement member. The main component of the insulative resin is epoxy resin. The core substrate 31 may also be formed by impregnating resin, such as epoxy, in a woven fabric or non-woven fabric of glass or aramid.

Through holes 31 a extend through the core substrate 31 between the first surface 31SA and the second surface 31SB at predetermined positions. A through member 32 extending through the core substrate 31 between the first and second surfaces 31SA and 31SB is formed in each through hole 31 a. The through member 32 includes a tube 32 a formed on the wall of the through hole 31 a, an annular land 32 b formed on each of the surfaces 31SA and 31SB of the core substrate 31, and a wire 32 c that covers the lands 32 b and closes the opening of the tube 32 a. In FIG. 1A, for example, the land 32 b is formed by two conductive layers. The interior of the through member 32 is filled with an insulator 33. The material of the through member 32 (tube 32 a, land 32 b, and wire 32 c) may be, for example, copper (Cu). The insulator 33 is formed by filling resin into the tube 32 a and then curing the resin. In other words, the resin of the insulator 33 has a viscosity that allows for the resin to be filled into the tube 32 a prior to curing. The insulator 33 is formed from, for example, epoxy resin or a combination of epoxy resin and acrylic resin.

The core substrate 31 further includes an opening 31 b that opens in the first surface 31SA and the second surface 31SB. That is, the opening 31 b extends through the core substrate 31. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the opening 31 b is tetragonal as viewed from above. Two wires 34 and 35 formed on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31 substantially cover the opening 31 b. The wires 34 and 35 each include a distal end facing the distal end of the other one of the wires 34 and 35. The distal end of the wire 34 and the distal end of the wire 35 are spaced apart by a distance of, for example, 30 to 150 μm. Each of the wires 34 and 35 is an example of a first conductive film. The wire 34 includes an electrode portion 34 a and a connection portion 34 b. The wire 35 includes an electrode portion 35 a and a connection portion 35 b. The material of the electrode portions 34 a and 35 a and the connection portions 34 b and 35 b may be, for example, copper.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, each of the electrode portions 34 a and 35 a includes a distal end facing the distal end of the other one of the electrode portions 34 a and 35 a at the central section of the opening 31 b. The electrode portions 34 a and 35 a substantially cover the opening 31 b. The electrode portions 34 a and 35 a are, for example, tetragonal. Each of the electrode portions 34 a and 35 a extends from the central section of the opening 31 b to the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the connection portion 34 b connects the electrode portion 34 a to the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31. In the same manner, the connection portion 35 b connects the electrode portion 35 a to the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the connection portions 34 b and 35 b are each formed by, for example, two conductive layers.

The opening 31 b is further covered by a wire 36 formed on the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31. The wire 36 is one example of a second conductive film. The wire 36 includes a covering portion 36 a and a connection portion 36 b. In the same manner as the wires 34 and 35, the material of the covering portion 36 a and the connection portion 36 b may be, for example, copper. The covering portion 36 a is tetragonal and has a larger size than the opening 31 b. Accordingly, the covering portion 36 a covers the opening 31 b. The connection portion 36 b has the shape of a tetragonal frame to connect the entire rim of the covering portion 36 a to the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31. In FIG. 1A, the connection portion 36 b is formed by, for example, two conductive layers.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the wall of the opening 31 b in the core substrate 31, the wires 34 and 35 arranged on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31, and the wire 36 arranged on the second, surface 31SB of the core substrate 31 define an accommodation portion 37. The accommodation portion 37 accommodates a chip capacitor 38, which is one example of an electronic component. The chip capacitor 38 includes a box-shaped capacitor body and two connection terminals 38 a and 38 b located on the two longitudinal ends of the chip capacitor 38. The connection terminal 38 a is connected to the wire 34 (electrode portion 34 a), and the connection terminal 38 b is connected to the wire 35 (electrode portion 35 a).

The interior of the accommodation portion 37 is filled with an insulator 39. The insulator 39 is formed from, for example, the same resin as the insulator 33 filled in the through member 32. Thus, the resin of the insulator 39 has a viscosity that allows for the resin to be filled into the accommodation portion 37 prior to curing. Further, the resin of the insulator 39 is filled into the accommodation portion 37 to cover the chip capacitor 38.

Wires 40 are formed on the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31. The material of the wires 40 may be, for example, copper. The wires 40 are formed by, for example, a plurality of conductive layers (three conductive layers in FIG. 1A).

The wiring portion 22 formed on the first surface 31SA of the core portion 21 includes insulative layers 51 to 53 and wiring layers 61 to 63. The insulative layer 51, the wiring layer 61, the insulative layer 52, the wiring layer 62, the insulative layer 53, and the wiring layer 63 are stacked in this order on the first surface 31SA of the core portion 21. The material of the insulative layers 51 to 53 may be, for example, an epoxy insulative resin. The material of the wiring layers 61 to 63 may be, for example, copper.

As illustrated in FIG. 1D, vias 64 extend through the insulative layer 51 and connect the wiring layer 61 to the wires 34 and 35 and the through members 32 (refer to FIG. 1A). In the same manner, vias 65, which extend through the insulative layer 52, connect the wiring layer 62 to the wiring layer 61. In the same manner, vias 66, which extend through the insulative layer 53, connect the wiring layer 63 to the wiring layer 62. A resist film 54 covers the outermost insulative layer 53 and the outermost wiring layer 63. The resist film 54 includes openings 54 a at predetermined positions. The portions of the wiring layer 63 exposed from the openings 54 a function as electrodes 63 a connected to the semiconductor chip 10.

In the same manner, the wiring portion 23 formed on the second surface 31SB of the core portion 21 includes insulative layers 71 to 73 and wiring layers 81 to 83. The insulative layer 71, the wiring layer 81, the insulative layer 72, the wiring layer 82, the insulative layer 73, and the wiring layer 83 are stacked in this order on the second surface 31SB of the core portion 21. The material of the insulative layers 71 to 73 may be, for example, an epoxy insulative resin. Further, the material of the wiring layers 81 to 83 may be, for example, copper.

Vias 84 extend through the insulative layer 71 and connect the wiring layer 81 to the wires 40 and the through members 32. In the same manner, vias 85, which extend through the insulative layer 72, connect the wiring layer 82 to the wiring layer 81. In the same manner, vias 86, which extend through the insulative layer 73, connect the wiring layer 83 to the wiring layer 82, A resist film 74 covers the outermost insulative layer 73 and the outermost wiring layer 83. The resist film 74 includes openings 74 a at predetermined positions. The portions of the wiring layer 83 exposed from the openings 74 a function as external connection pads 83 a.

The semiconductor chip 10 includes bumps 11 connected to the electrode 63 a. A gap formed between the semiconductor chip 10 and the wiring substrate 20 is filled with an underfill resin 12, The underfill resin 12 increases the connection strength of the electrodes 63 a and the bumps 11, The material of the underfill resin 12 may be, for example, epoxy resin. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the external connection pads 83 a are connected to pads of a mounted substrate by bumps (solder balls or the like).

The operation of the wiring substrate 20 will now be described.

In the wiring substrate 20, the chip capacitor 38 is arranged in the opening 31 b and covered by the insulator 39. The wires 34 and 35, arranged on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31, substantially cover the insulator 39. Further, the wire 36, arranged on the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31, covers the insulator 39. Accordingly, in the same manner as the insulator 33 filled in each through member 32, the insulator 39 is covered by the wires 34 to 36, which are metal films. The core substrate 31 may have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that differs from the CTE of the insulator 39. Even in such a case, the wires 34 to 36 reduce the effect that the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the core substrate 31 and the insulator 39 has on the wiring portions 22 and 23. This suppresses the formation of cracks in the core substrate 31 and the wiring portions 22 and 23 and suppresses defoliation of the wiring portions 22 and 23.

A method for manufacturing the wiring substrate 20 will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the core substrate 31 is first prepared. The core substrate 31 includes a conductive layer 101 on each of the first and second surfaces 31SA and 31SB. The conductive layer 101 may be, for example, a foil of copper (Cu). Then, referring to FIG. 2B, the through holes 31 a are formed in the core substrate 31. For example, a laser processing machine or a drilling machine may be used to form the through holes 31 a. For example, when forming the through holes 31 a with a laser processing machine, a desmear process is performed to remove residual resin smears or the like from the through holes 31 a. The desmear process may use, for example, potassium permanganate. Then, referring to FIG. 2C, the tubes 32 a are formed on the walls of the through holes 31 a, and a conductive layer 102 is formed on the conductive layers 101. The tubes 32 a and the conductive layer 102 may be formed by, for example, performing electroless copper plating and electrolytic copper plating in this order. Then, referring to FIG. 2D, the opening 31 b is formed in the core substrate 31. For example, a punching press, a drilling machine, or a router machine may be used to form the opening 31 b. Then, referring to FIG. 2E, an adhesive film 103 is applied to the conductive layer 102 (lower conductive layer 102 as viewed in FIG. 2E) that is formed on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31.

Then, referring to FIG. 3A, a mounter is used to mount the chip capacitor 38 on the adhesive film 103 in the opening 31 b of the core substrate 31. Then, referring to FIG. 3B, the insulator 33 is filled into each tube 32 a and the insulator 39 is filled into the opening 31 b. The material of the insulators 33 and 39 may be, for example, epoxy resin or a combination of an acrylic resin and an epoxy resin. For example, printing may be performed with a mask screen and a squeegee under a depressurized condition (e.g., vacuum atmosphere) to fill the insulators 33 and 39 into the tubes 32 a and the opening 31 b. In this manner, by simultaneously filling the insulators 33 and 39 into the tubes 32 a and the opening 31 b, the number of steps is reduced as compared with filling the insulators 33 and 39 in separate steps. This allows for reduction in the manufacturing time of the wiring substrate 20. Then, referring to FIG. 3C, the adhesive film 103 is removed. This exposes the connection terminals 38 a and 38 b that were adhered to the adhesive film 10 3. Then, referring to FIG. 3D, the surfaces (upper surfaces as viewed in FIG. 3D) of the insulators 33 and 39 are grinded until becoming generally flush with the surface (upper surface as viewed in FIG. 3D) of the conductive layer 102. Buffing or blasting may be performed to grind the insulators 33 and 39. Then, a desmear process is performed to remove residues from the surface. Referring to FIG. 3E, a conductive layer 104 is formed on each of the conductive layers 102. The conductive layer 104 may be formed by, for example, performing electroless copper plating and electrolytic copper plating in this order. The conductive layer 104 covers the insulators 33 and 39 and the conductive layer 102. Further, the conductive layer 104 also covers the surfaces of the connection terminals 38 a and 38 b of the chip capacitor 38. Accordingly, the conductive layer 104 is connected to the connection terminals 38 a and 38 b.

Then, referring to FIG. 4A, the conductive layers 101, 102, and 104 are etched and patterned into a predetermined shape to form the wires 34, 35, 36, and the like. For example, a subtractive process may be performed to form the wires 34 to 36. The wires 34 to 36 substantially close the opening 31 b filled with the insulator 39. Then, referring to FIG. 4B, the insulative layers 51 and 71 are formed, and the openings 51 a and 71 a are formed in the insulative layers 51 and 71. In the steps from FIG. 4B, the structure illustrated in FIG. 4A is reversed upside down. For example, a laser-processing machine may be used to form the openings 51 a and 71 a. Then, a desmear process is performed to remove resin smears or the like produced by the laser processing. Then, referring to FIG. 4C, the vias 64 and 84 and the wiring layers 61 and 81 are formed. The vias 64 and 84 and the wiring layers 61 and 81 may be formed, for example, by-undergoing electroless copper plating and electrolytic copper plating during a semi-additive process. In the same manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4D, the insulative layers 52 and 72, the vias 65 and 85, the wiring layers 62 and 82, the insulative layers 53 and 73, the vias 66 and 86, and the wiring layers 63 and 83 are formed. The wiring portions 22 and 23 are formed in this manner. Then, the resist film 54 is formed on the insulative layer 53 and the wiring layer 63. Further, the openings 54 a are formed in the resist film 54 to expose portions of the wiring layer 63 as the electrodes 63 a. In the same manner, the resist film 74 is formed on the insulative layer 73 and the wiring layer 83. The openings 74 a are formed in the resist film 74 to expose portions of the wiring layer 83 as the external connection pads 83 a. The resist films 54 and 74 may be formed, by, for example, laminating a solder resist film of a photosensitive resin, such as an epoxy resin, and patterning the resist film into a predetermined shape.

The first embodiment has the advantages described below.

(1) The core substrate 31 includes the opening 31 b that accommodates the chip capacitor 38, which is embedded in the insulator 39 inside the opening 31 b. The insulator 39 is substantially covered by the wires 34 and 35 formed on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31. Further, the insulator 39 is covered by the wire 36 formed on the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31. Thus, the insulator 39 is covered by metal films. This reduces the effect that the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the insulator 39 and the core substrate 31 has on the wiring portions 22 and 23. Thus, the formation of cracks in the core substrate 31 and the wiring portions 22 and 23 is suppressed, and defoliation of the wiring portions 22 and 23 is suppressed.

(2) The insulator 39 filled in the opening 31 b and the insulator 33 filled in the tube 32 a of each through member 32 are formed from the same material. Accordingly, the insulators 39 and 33 may respectively be filled in the opening 31 b and the tubes 32 a during the same step. This reduces the number of steps compared to when the insulators 33 and the insulator 39 are filled in the tubes 32 a and the opening 31 b in separate steps. This allows for reduction in the manufacturing time of the wiring substrate 20.

A wiring substrate 20 a of a second embodiment will now be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the wiring substrate 20 a includes a core portion 21 a, and the core portion 21 a includes a core substrate 31. An opening 31 b is formed in the core substrate 31. A wire 36, formed on a first surface 31SA (upper surface as viewed in FIG. 5) of the core substrate 31, covers the opening 31 b. Further, two wires 34 and 35, formed on a second surface 31SB (lower surface as viewed in FIG. 5) of the core substrate 31, covers the opening 31 b. The wall of the opening 31 b, the wire 36 arranged on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31, and the wires 34 and 35 arranged on the second surface 31SB define an accommodation portion 37. The accommodation portion 37 accommodates a chip capacitor 38, which is one example of an electronic component. The chip capacitor 38 includes connection terminals 38 a and 38 b respectively connected to the wires 34 and 35 arranged on the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31. The accommodation portion 37 is filled with an insulator 39.

In the wiring substrate 20 a, the upper surface of the insulator 39 is covered by the wire 36, and the lower surface of the insulator 39 is covered by the wires 34 and 35. The chip capacitor 38 is embedded in the insulator 39. In the same manner as the wiring substrate 20 of the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the wires 34, 35, and 36 reduce the effect that the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the core substrate 31 and the insulator 39 has on the wiring portions 22 and 23. Thus, the formation of cracks in the core substrate 31 and the wiring portions 22 and 23 is suppressed, and defoliation of the wiring portions 22 and 23 is suppressed.

A wiring substrate 20 b of a third embodiment will now be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the wiring substrate 20 b includes a core portion 21 b, and the core portion 21 b includes a core substrate 31. Through holes 31 a extend through the core substrate 31 between the first surface 31SA and the second surface 31SB at predetermined positions. A through member 91 extending through the core substrate 31 between the first and second surfaces 31SA and 31SB is formed in each through hole 31 a. The through member 91 is a so-called filled via having an interior filled with a conductive body (e.g., copper). The through members 91 are shaped in conformance with the through holes 31 a and may be, for example, cylindrical.

A method for manufacturing the wiring substrate 20 b will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the core substrate 31 is first prepared. The core substrate 31 includes a conductive layer 101 on each of the first and second surfaces 31SA and 31SB. The conductive layer 101 may be, for example, a copper (Cu) foil. Then, referring to FIG. 7B, the through holes 31 a are formed in the core substrate 31. For example, a laser processing machine or a drilling machine may be used to form the through holes 31 a. For example, when forming the through holes 31 a with a laser processing machine, a desmear process is performed to remove residual resin smears or the like from the through holes 31 a. The desmear process may use, for example, potassium permanganate. Then, referring to FIG. 7C, a conductive layer 102 is formed. The conductive layer 102 may be formed by, for example, performing electroless copper plating and electrolytic copper plating in this order. For example, electroless copper plating is performed to form a seed layer on the wall of each through hole 31 a, and electrolytic copper plating is performed using the seed layer as an electrode to fill the through hole 31 a with the conductive layer 102. Then, referring to FIG. 7D, the opening 31 b is formed in the core substrate 31. For example, a punching press, a drilling machine, or a router machine may be used to form the opening 31 b. Then, referring to FIG. 7E, an adhesive film 103 is applied to the conductive layer 102 (lower conductive layer 102 as viewed in FIG. 2E) that is formed on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31.

Then, referring to FIG. 8A, a mounter is used to mount the chip capacitor 38 on the adhesive film 103 in the opening 31 b of the core substrate 31. Then, referring to FIG. 8B, the insulator 39 is filled into the opening 31 b. The material of the insulator 39 may be, for example, epoxy resin or a combination of an acrylic resin and an epoxy resin. For example, printing, which uses a mask screen and a squeegee, or film filling may be performed under a depressurized condition (e.g., vacuum atmosphere) to fill the insulator 39 into the opening 31 b. A semi-cured insulative resin sheet may be stacked on the conductive layer 102 to close the opening 31 b, and the insulative resin sheet may be heated and pressurized under a depressurized condition (e.g., vacuum atmosphere) to fill and cure the insulator 39 in the opening 31 b. Then, referring to FIG. 8C, the adhesive film 103 is removed. Then, referring to FIG. 8D, the surface of the insulator 39 is grinded until becoming generally flush with the surface of the conductive layer 102. Buffing or blasting may be performed to grind the insulator 39. Then, a desmear process is performed to remove residues from the surface. Referring to FIG. 8E, a conductive layer 104 is formed on each of the conductive layers 102. The conductive layer 104 may be formed by, for example, performing electroless copper plating and electrolytic copper plating in this order. The conductive layer 104 covers the insulator 39 and the conductive layer 102.

Then, referring to FIG. 9A, the conductive layers 101, 102, and 104 are etched and patterned into a predetermined shape to form the wires 34, 35, 36, and the like. For example, a subtractive process may be performed to form the wires 34 to 36, Then, referring to FIG. 9B, the insulative layers 51 and 71 are formed, and the openings 51 a and 71 a are formed in the insulative layers 51 and 71. In the steps from FIG. 9B, the structure illustrated in FIG. 9A is reversed upside down. For example, a laser processing machine may be used to form the openings 51 a and 71 a. Then, a desmear process is performed to remove resin smears or the like produced by the laser processing. Then, referring to FIG. 9C, the vias 64 and 84 and the wiring layers 61 and 81 are formed. The vias 64 and 84 and the wiring layers 61 and 81 may be formed, for example, by undergoing electroless copper plating and electrolytic copper plating during a semi-additive process. In the same manner, as illustrated in FIG. 9D, the insulative layers 52 and 72, the vias 65 and 85, the wiring layers 62 and 82, the insulative layers 53 and 73, the vias 66 and 86, and the wiring layers 63 and 83 are formed. The wiring portions 22 and 23 are formed in this manner. Then, the resist film 54 is formed on the insulative layer 53 and the wiring layer 63. Further, the openings 54 a are formed in the resist film 54 to expose portions of the wiring layer 63 as the electrodes 63 a. In the same manner, the resist film 74 is formed on the insulative layer 73 and the wiring layer 83. The openings 74 a are formed, in the resist film. 74 to expose portions of the wiring layer 83 as the external connection pads 83 a. The resist films 54 and 74 may be formed by, for example, laminating a solder resist film of a photosensitive resin, such as an epoxy resin, and patterning the resist film into a predetermined shape.

Like the wiring substrate illustrated in FIG. 5, in the third embodiment, one wire 36 may be formed on the first surface 31SA of the core substrate 31, and two wires 34 and 35 may be formed on the second surface 31SB of the core substrate 31. Then, the chip capacitor 38 may be arranged in the opening 31 b of the core substrate 31, and the connection terminals 38 a and 38 b of the chip capacitor 38 may be electrically connected to the wires 34 and 35.

In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the third embodiment has the advantages described below.

(3) The through members 91 extending between the first and second surfaces 31SA and 31SB of the core substrate 31 are formed by filling the through holes 31 a of the core substrate 31 with plating. Accordingly, the material of the insulator 39 that fills the opening 31 b of the core substrate 31 may be selected without being influenced by the material of the through members 91. For example, a resin having a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the core substrate 31 may be used as the material of the insulator 39. This effectively suppresses the formation of cracks in the core substrate 31 and the wiring portions 22 and 23 and suppresses defoliation of the wiring portions 22 and 23.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.

In the above embodiments, the number of layers in the wiring portions 22 and 23 may be changed.

In the wiring substrates 20, 20 a, and 20 b, the opening 31 b (accommodation portion 37) of the core substrate 31 accommodates the chip capacitor 38. Instead of the chip capacitor 38, an electronic component such as a chip resistor, an inductor, and a semiconductor device (LSI) may be accommodated.

The accommodation portion 37 accommodates the chip capacitor 38 that includes the two connection terminals 38 a and 38 b. Instead, the accommodation portion 37 may accommodate an electronic component such as a capacitor including three or more terminals.

A wiring substrate may include cavities (openings, i.e., accommodation portions) to accommodate electronic components. Further, the number of electronic components accommodated in a single cavity is not limited to one, and a plurality of electronic components may be accommodated in a single cavity. Moreover, the electronic components mounted on a wiring substrate are not limited to one type and may be more than one type.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, two capacitors 121 and 122 are arranged in the opening 31 b of the core substrate 31. Although not illustrated in the drawing, the chip capacitors 121 and 122 are embedded in the insulator 39 (refer to FIG. 1A) filling the opening 31 b. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, wires 131, 132, 133, and 134 are arranged in correspondence with the electrodes of the chip capacitors 121 and 122 to substantially cover the opening 31 b including the chip capacitors 121 and 122. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, vias 151 to 154 extend through the insulative layer 51 to electrically connect the wires 131 to 134 to wiring layers 141 to 144 formed on the upper surface of the insulative layer 51 that covers the wires 131 to 134.

In a further example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, four chip capacitors 121, 122, 123, and 124 are arranged in the opening 31 b of the core substrate 31. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the chip capacitors 121 to 124 are embedded in the insulator 39 (refer to FIG. 1A) filling the opening 31 b. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, wires 131 to 138 are arranged in correspondence with the electrodes of the chip capacitors 121 and 124 to substantially cover the opening 31 b including the chip capacitors 121 to 124. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 11C, vias 151 to 158 extend through the insulative layer 51 to electrically connect the wires 131 to 138 to wiring layers 141 to 148 formed on the upper surface of the insulative layer 51 that covers the wires 131 to 134.

The direction in which the chip capacitors are arranged may be changed. For example, in FIG. 11A, the two chip capacitors 121 and 122 are arranged so that the four electrodes are arranged along a straight line (lateral direction as viewed in FIG. 11A). However, the chip capacitors 121 and 122 may be rotated by 90 degrees from the positions illustrated in FIG. 11A.

The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims. 

1. A wiring substrate comprising: a core substrate including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an opening extending through the core substrate between the first surface and the second surface; a first conductive film formed on the first surface, wherein the first conductive film covers the opening; a second conductive film formed on the second surface, wherein the second conductive film covers the opening; an electronic component arranged in the opening, wherein the electronic component is connected to the first conductive film; an insulator filling the opening; a first wiring portion including alternately stacked insulative layers and wiring layers, wherein the first wiring portion covers the first surface of the core substrate and the first conductive film; and a second wiring portion including alternately stacked insulative layers and wiring layers, wherein the second wiring portion covers the second surface of the core substrate and the second conductive film.
 2. The wiring substrate according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component includes two connection terminals, and the first conductive film includes two wires respectively connected to the two connection terminals of the electronic component, wherein the two wires extend from the opening to the first surface of the core substrate, and the two wires each include a distal end facing the distal end of the other one of the two wires.
 3. The wiring substrate according to claim 1, further comprising a through member extending through the core substrate between the first and second surfaces, wherein the through member electrically connects the wiring layers of the first wiring portion to the wiring layers of the second wiring portion,
 4. The wiring substrate according to claim 3, wherein the through member includes an insulator that fills an interior of the through member.
 5. The wiring substrate according to claim 1, wherein the first wiring portion includes an electrode exposed from an outermost surface of the first wiring portion for connection with a semiconductor chip, and the second wiring portion includes a connection pad exposed from an outermost surface of the second wiring portion for connection with another substrate.
 6. A method for manufacturing a wiring substrate, the method comprising: forming an opening in a core substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the opening extends through the core substrate between the first surface and the second surface; applying a film, which covers the opening, to the first surface; arranging an electronic component in the opening and fixing the electronic component to the film; filling the opening with a first insulator; removing the film; forming a conductive film that covers the first insulator; and forming a first wiring portion by alternately stacking insulative layers and wiring layers on the first surface while forming a second, wiring portion by alternately stacking insulative layers and wiring layers on the second surface.
 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: forming a through hole that extends through the core substrate between the first surface and the second surface; plating a wall of the through hole; and filling the through hole with a second insulator when filling the opening with the first insulator.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first insulator and the second insulator are formed from the same resin.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the forming a conductive film that covers the first insulator includes forming a first conductive film, which covers the first insulator, on the first surface of the core substrate, and forming a second conductive film, which covers the first insulator, on the second surface of the core substrate.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the forming a first conductive film includes forming two wires, respectively connected to two connection terminals of the electronic component, on the first surface. 